Sports massage uses much of the same techniques as traditional Swedish massage – the name given to classical massage – but with more of an eye to helping treat imbalances and aid in the recovery from injury. It got the name sports massage because it was developed in the sporting world, but now it is becoming more widely used by non sporting people, looking for help with a persistent niggle (eg back pain) or just looking to de-stress.
During periods of stress on the body your muscles can create trigger points and tension. Having regular massages can optimise your tissue pliability, which in turn can reduce injuries and improve mobility.
2. Support good posture:
We can all spend long times at our desks however this posture can cause muscles to shorten and pull your joints into positions which over time can reduce function and increase chances of over-use and repetitive strain injuries. Sports massage can help to release these muscles and is a great way to counteract the negative affect working at a desk has your posture.
3. Reduce pain:
Massage and soft tissue can be used alongside physiotherapy intervention to help reduce pain produced by injury. There has been a variety of research demonstrating the positive impact of massage on pain levels in lower back and shoulder pain when combined with exercises and manual therapy techniques.
4. Assist with recovery:
If you have trained a muscle group to help reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), massage may help recovery by increasing circulation to the area massaged and helping to flush out the toxins that build up during exercises. This can help improve your recovery and leave you better able to optimise your training in the following days.
Before the treatment commences a consultation will be undertaken to find out a little more about you, why you want the treatment, and what areas you would like to concentrate on, thereby enabling me to tailor the treatment to your requirements. . Once this is completed, the massage will take place and the muscles treated will be stretched at the end of the session. Each session lasts 45mins.
As the client, you dictate the depth and intensity of the treatment. If you’re looking for a relaxing treatment, the depth will be that of a classical massage, and the only danger would be that of falling asleep! When treating an injury or persistent pain, the area being massaged can be a little sensitive – but at no point should you be crawling off the table to escape my elbows! Too much discomfort is counterproductive to the treatment, negatively affecting the outcome. You control the intensity of the treatment and I will adjust the intensity to suit you.
Please wear a pair of loose-fitting shorts, as this makes it easier to massage the legs. Towels will be provided to stop oil from contacting clothing.
Massage for the Upper Body
A towel will be provided to cover your back until the treatment begins. If you are attending for a back massage please be advised that the upper back needs to be unobstructed so we advise against the wearing of sports bras – a bra with a rear clasp can be worn throughout, without impeding the treatment.
(*Please shower before arriving for the treatment)